Sealing arrangement for sealing a gap between two components which can rotate in relation to each other about a common rotational axis

Abstract

A sealing arrangement for sealing a gap between two components which can move rotationally with respect to one another about a common axis of rotation, having a brush seal on a first component which interacts with a sealing surface of the second component. The sealing surface is conical in form, with at least one component being axially displaceable and adjustable with respect to the other component in order to reduce the gap between the brush seal and the second component.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of German application no. 10227630.7, filed Jun. 21, 2002, and PCT International Patent Application No. PCT / DE03 / 01973, filed Jun. 13, 2003, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing a gap between two components which can move rotationally with respect to one another about a common axis of rotation. [0003] The use of brush seals for sealing two components which can move rotationally with respect to one another is well known. The brush seal in this case substantially comprises a brush casing, which is mounted in the first component, and a plurality of bristles which have been introduced into the brush casing and the free ends of which are directed onto a sealing surface of the second component. In particular in turbomachines, such as for example steam turbines or gas turbines, brush seals are used to seal an ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] A further drawback of the known brush seals is that in the event of a drop in the sealing action of the brush seal it is necessary to replace the entire brush seal in question. It is not possible to “reset” the brush seal, for example for reasons of wear, in order thereby to retain the sealing function of the brush seal. The fact that the sealing function of the brush seal cannot be reset shortens the service life, which in turn entails additional costs.

[0012] A further advantage is that the manufacturing tolerances can be increased, since the brush seal can be adjusted during fitting. This leads to a reduction in production costs.

Problems solved by technology

It is known that a brush seal of this type cannot be designed with a large coverage, since otherwise the driving losses and the resultant generation of heat increase correspondingly.

This proves disadvantageous since accurate production is known to be associated with high production costs.

A further drawback of the known brush seals is that in the event of a drop in the sealing action of the brush seal it is necessary to replace the entire brush seal in question.

It is not possible to “reset” the brush seal, for example for reasons of wear, in order thereby to retain the sealing function of the brush seal.

The fact that the sealing function of the brush seal cannot be reset shortens the service life, which in turn entails additional costs.

This further optimizes the leakage rate, which inter alia means a lengthening of the service life.

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